The Gnostic Gospels In this essay, I will discuss about the Gnostic Gospels. To discuss this matter, I will divide this paper in a few key points. The first is what Gnosticism is. The second is the Gnostic gospels miscellaneous literature and the last is the conclusion of the Gnostic gospels. What is Gnosticism? According to Bentley (1987): “ Gnosis derives from Greek, and connotes "knowledge" or the "act of Knowing ". (On first hearing, it is sometimes confused with another more Common term of the same root but opposite sense: agnostic, literally “ not knowing ", A knower of nothing).The Greek language differentiates between rational, Propositional knowledge, and the distinct form of knowing obtained not by Reason, but by personal experience or perception. It is this latter knowledge, gained From experience, from an interior spark of comprehension, that constitutes gnosis. (Layton 9) So it can be said that gnosis is secret knowledge revealed to man hat only get by someone or a Group of individual who gained special enlightenment or as it said “ that these Gnostic Christians held a conviction that direct, personal and absolute knowledge of the authentic truths of existence is accessible to human beings, and, moreover, that the attainmentof such knowledge must always constitute the supreme achievement of human life". (Hoeller 11) Gnosticism evolved since the beginning of the gospel is preached. This is caused due to accumulation not the gospel of the good doctrine which led to many interpretations of the teachings of the gospel. There ware many of gnostic teaching and led into what we know know as the Gnostic Gospels. What is the Gnosis Gospels? As Christianity spread, A group of Gnostic doctrine ... ... middle of paper ... ...OSTIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH, 1996-2000. document. Hoeller, Stephan A. "The Gnostic Jung." The Gnostic Jung. Wheaton: Theosophical publising House, 1982. 11. Paperback. King, Karen L. The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle. Santa Rosa, California: Polebridge Press, 2003. Kung, Hans. The Incarnation of God: An Introduction to Hegel's Theological Thought As Prolegomena to a Future Christology. T&T Clark, 2001. hard cover. Layton, Bentley. "The Gnostic Scripture." The Gnostic Scripture. New York: Doubleday, 1987, 1995. 9. Paperback. McManners, John. "The Oxford History of Christianity." The Oxford History of Christianity. New York: New York Oxford Press, 2002. 28. Robinson, James M. The Nag Hammadi Library. 1988. Print. Stanton, Graham. Gospel Truth?: New Light on Jesus and the Gospels. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1995. Paperback.
The Coptic Gospel of Thomas was found near the town of Nag Hammadi and features one hundred and fourteen sayings from Jesus. Considered a Gnostic text, the Gospel of Thomas differs from the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It differs from these gospels in that there are no miracles performed by Jesus, there is no passion story, and it lacks narratives. Though it is different, it does feature similar sayings from the books of Matthew and Luke. As for the Coptic Gospel of Thomas’s teachings, it takes a position on blaspheme, destination for the blessed, materialization, gender, forgiveness, giving, predestination, power of Jesus, rituals, and more. Also, “God” is not used in the Gospel of Thomas, he is rather referred to as the “Holy Spirit”, for frame of reference in this description however God is used in place to refer to the higher authority presented.
A Christian apologetic method is a verbal defense of the biblical worldview. A proof is giving a reason for why we believe. This paper will address the philosophical question of God’s existence from the moral argument. The presuppositional apologetic method of Reformed thinkers Cornelius Van Til and John Frame will be the framework. Topics covered here could undoubtedly be developed in more depth, but that would be getting ahead, here is the big picture.
Gnosticism is defined by Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary as the thought and practice especially of various cults of late pre-Christian and early Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis. (King pg. 5) After reading several books, you will realize that Gnosticism is a really difficult term to define and most people have not been successful with coming up with a definition that fits what Gnosticism really is. Gnostics believed that there was no physical resurrection of Jesus Christ and that there was no way that such a good God would create evil so they believed that Jesus was adopted or transcended by God. Gnosis comes from the Greek word meaning knowledge which explains why most Gnostics believe that true salvation comes from some sort of special knowledge.
Many do not welcome this belief because it is controversial to orthodox beliefs. The Gospel of Thomas was found among Gnostic writings as part of a collection, needless to say this the interpretations of this gospel stirs chaos among traditional Christians.
Peterson, Michael - Hasker, Reichenbach and Basinger. Philosophy of Religion - Selected Readings, Fourth Edition. 2010. Oxford University Press, NY.
Eastman, Roger. The Ways of Religion: An Introduction to the Major Traditions. Third Edition. Oxford University Press. N.Y. 1999
King, Karen L. What is Gnosticism? London: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2003.
Throughout the modern age the subject of Gnosticism has stood in contrast to the concepts of traditional, orthodox Christianity. The subject of Gnosticism has served to represent the ideas and practices of Christianity that were not sanctioned by orthodox Christianity. Generally, we have come to understand that the world of Christianity has been assembled and constructed in the first five centuries after the death of Christ. In a sense, events such as the Council of Nicaea represent arbitrary decisions to compile the official church-sanctioned version of Christianity. Any writings or practices that fell outside of the formal circle of Christian doctrine became candidates for the label of Gnosticism.
In chapter eight of Felder he talks about the four gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each have their own ways of telling the readers about Jesus, but Jesus’s message is the same in each gospel. The core message of Jesus’s teachings is the reign of God, and His kingdom. Jesus was not sent down to change the old laws, but to make them fit what God wanted. Jesus wanted everyone to know the kingdom of God is already present, but it is also a future as well. People need to accept God and live for Him, so that way they can become a part and better the kingdom. The gospel of Luke portrays Jesus as a universal savior that is friends with everyone no matter who they are. Jesus wanted everyone to love each other, and not judge one another. To Him
2) Gollwitzer, Helmut. The Existence of God: As Confessed By Faith. Philadelphia: The Westminister Press, 1965
... arbitrary set of rules. This applies not just to religion but to political and moral ideologies as well. If we really want to seek the truth, I think we could really learn a lot from the Gnostic tradition.
Lane, T. (2006). A concise history of christian thought (Completely ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
Carson, D, & Moo, D. (2005) An introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
In conclusion, Irenaeus’ attacks against Christian Heresies had a major impact on the social world of that time and influenced many other heresy hunters to follow, so it is evident that his description Gnosticism and other Christian heresies is historically accurate. We can assume that the heretical groups of Christians still exists but that the true Christians don’t even acknowledge them as a threat. During Irenaeus’ time they were a threat because Christianity was still developing and people were trying to understand Christianity, and what it really is. All these critics and writers helped in developing a true understanding of Christianity.
The letter explains that these mindsets reflect a return of two ancient heresies. Pelagianism is a heresy that denies original sin and supposes that you can save yourself. Gnosticism is a heresy that sees Jesus as one of several beings in a divine hierarchy and proposes that you can achieve salvation by enlightenment.